PORTSMOUTH — A rally to “show solidarity with Wisconsin workers and stand up against reckless legislative attacks on New Hampshire's middle class” is planned for Saturday in Market Square.

Judy Stradtman, a Portsmouth mother of two, is one of the organizers and said her protest sign will likely read: Protect working families and the middle class.

“There are some very dangerous things happening in the legislature and people, I think, feel really distressed,” said Stradtman, who has a local history of political activism. “We have the opportunity to make a statement and are feeling more confident in the ability to push back.”

State legislation proposed by the N.H. GOP majority includes calls for pension reform and allowing workers to decide whether or not they wish to join labor unions. Supporters say pension reforms breach worker contracts and Right-To-Work law harms them. Opponents cite a need to curb costs and support businesses.

In Wisconsin, Republicans introduced legislation to strip union workers of bargaining rights while Democrats fled the state in protest. Democrats in Indiana walked out of the Statehouse on Tuesday in protest of a GOP-backed bill that seeks to stop mandatory union dues.

Stradtman said Saturday's Portsmouth protest is meant to support unions in those states, as well as in New Hampshire. A Facebook page launched Monday under the name Protect NH Families announces the Feb. 26 rally and in 48 hours, 3,200 people signed on as liking it.

Stradtman announced the rally on her group's Facebook page, Seacoast Solidarity, and supporters including former Senator Maggie Hassan have posted that they hope to attend. New Castle activist and former Senator Burt Cohen posted that if he “were not on a plane at that time (he'd) surely be there!”

“My spirit will be,” he posted.

Saturday's gathering is expected to include speakers, which Stradtman said will be named as the day draws nearer. A Democrat who helped drive the local campaign for President Obama, she said she's unsure how many will attend but noted there's “a lot of interest.”

“We have our own share of reckless legislation,” she said. “State employees are working hard and their pensions are not fat by any means. It's not like retirees are socking away for cushy retirements. They deserve our support.”

Stradtman said Portsmouth was chosen as the location for the statewide rally because of its “good vibe” and as a “very progressive community with a lot of diversity.” She said she's previously stood in Market Square in support of proposed health care reforms, people with disabilities and political candidates.

This time, she said, supporting union members means preserving “public safety, education and living wages.”

“We really must fight to make sure we hold our ground,” she said. “It's a century of progress and a lot of damage can be done in a short time.”

“They need to hear the word ‘no,'” he said. “There are no guarantees in life and it's about time teachers and other public unions were welcomed into the real world. I don't even have medical insurance at this time.”

The rally is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to noon and participants are tentatively scheduled to first meet at Me & Ollie's Cafe at 10 Pleasant Street.